Unpaid Wages Spark Hospital Guards’ Protest in Rawalpindi
Rawalpindi witnessed chaos as hospital security guards staged a protest over unpaid wages, blocking Murree Road and disrupting traffic. The demonstration highlighted the growing frustration among guards who claim they have not received salaries for the past four months.
The guards, employed at government hospitals, revealed that their services have been outsourced to a private security company. While the Punjab government pays the company Rs45,000 per guard each month, the workers themselves receive only Rs25,000—and even that is often delayed. With inflation soaring, many guards said it has become impossible to meet household expenses without timely wages.
During the protest, a guard named Chacha Aurangzeb suffered a heart attack and was rushed to Benazir Bhutto General Hospital. According to hospital officials, his condition has since stabilized. The incident underscored the severe stress faced by workers struggling to survive without pay.
Protesters directed their anger at PML-N MPA Ziaullah Shah, the owner of the security company, holding him responsible for the salary delays. They also appealed to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz to intervene and ensure justice.
The protest caused significant traffic congestion on Murree Road and disrupted hospital operations. Hospital administration clarified that the guards are employees of the private company, not the hospitals themselves, and therefore their salaries are not the responsibility of hospital management.
This incident sheds light on the broader challenges of outsourcing essential services in Punjab’s healthcare sector. Workers remain vulnerable to exploitation, while hospitals face operational disruptions when wage disputes arise. The protest serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for accountability and reforms in wage management to protect frontline staff who safeguard critical public institutions.
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